Texas EquuSearch Honors Two Fallen Officers for Police Officer’s Memorial Day and Police Week

05/16/12— Police Officer’s Memorial Day and Police Week was initiated in October of 1961 when Congress asked President John F. Kennedy to designate May 15th of each year to specially honor peace officers, and the dangerous job they do to protect us. May 15th of each year also pays remembrance, a very special tribute to the thousands of officers of all branches of law enforcement … especially those that died in the line of duty to keep you and your community safe. President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law and it took affect on October 1st of 1962. In 1994, President Bill Clinton amended the law directing that flags be flown at half-staff on May 15th of each year to honor the mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, duty partners, friends and buddies that paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our society – and the priceless people of our communities.

The Texas EquuSearch family has several members that are either current or retired law enforcement officers. We also hold the highest respect for law enforcement because we realize what a great job they do. But the Texas EquuSearch family also has a very special connection to two deputies that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty to protect the communities they served – and the most valuable part of that community … the people. We salute, with the highest respect, the two deputies below and the thousands of deputies that gave their lives to keep you and your families safe. If you happen to see an officer this week, if possible, tell him or her “Thanks”.

Harris County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Ricky Yates was killed in the line of duty on January 25th 1994. Ricky was tragically killed in a traffic accident while enroute to an assignment to monitor a school zone and keep the children of the school safe. Ricky was a nine year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, and left his wife, two daughters, a son and several grand-children to mourn his death. Ricky’s brother, Phillip Yates is also a Harris County deputy and a Search Coordinator with Texas EquuSearch.

Deputy Shane Detwiler was a deputy with the Chambers County Sheriff’s Department on July 13th 2009 when he was dispatched to a disturbance call involving firearms. Shane was brutally gunned-down as he approached the mobile home. Shane left his wife, two sons, a daughter, his mother and step-father, his father and step-mother a sister and his two grand-mothers to mourn his death. His mother, Cheryl Railsback is a long-time member of Texas EquuSearch and has successfully worked multiple cases as our K-9 handler and searcher.